Leather 'Football' Button

[GTB]

I have some rather sketchy information on this type of button and would appreciate more details.
I am aware that it was used as a temporary stop-gap measure on uniforms, just the same as leather GS buttons were worn by early WW1 Volunteer corps.
Were there sealed patterns issued at all?
Thanks
GTB

[49lassiepen]

I have this type of button on a Q.O .H light weight uniform - worn post 1958

David

[GTB]

Thanks, David. I'm sure my button is of an earlier period. However, do you know what Order of Dress your QOH uniform is? I have found reference of it being worn on Highlander leather jerkin, WW1
GTB

[1stTankie]

Hi GTB

Leather "football" buttons as you call them were worn by numerous regiments.
I wore small ones in the Royal Tank Regiment on Battle Dress. on the breast pockets and shoulder straps, and large ones on our Tank Park Coats. (These were ORs' greatcoats which had been remodelled by the regimental tailor to resemble a British Warm. They were an accepted means of staying warm, mostly in the German winters but also in the Hong Kong winters as well, c1957-1966.)
These buttons were also used by the 10th Hussars on BD, an example sold on eBay recently.
You have probably started a new thread and all sorts of replies will now appear with these buttons being worn in all sorts of funny places.

Best wishes

Gordon

[badger123]

I have found these type of buttons from the dump of a WW1 camp used between 1915 and 1920.

Ivan

[GTB]

Thanks all, for your varied input.
I have also come across a smaller, domed type with a lighter leather shade that were worn on ladies coats. Nothing remotely like my specimen which is a very thick compressed leather and looks its age, especially from the back.
GTB

[wardog]

Possibly used on Great War leather jerkins. Regards, Paul.

[Jelly Terror]

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[Jelly Terror]

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[JerryBB]

Originally Posted by 1stTankie

Hi GTB

Leather "football" buttons as you call them were worn by numerous regiments.
I wore small ones in the Royal Tank Regiment on Battle Dress. on the breast pockets and shoulder straps, and large ones on our Tank Park Coats. (These were ORs' greatcoats which had been remodelled by the regimental tailor to resemble a British Warm. They were an accepted means of staying warm, mostly in the German winters but also in the Hong Kong winters as well, c1957-1966.)
These buttons were also used by the 10th Hussars on BD, an example sold on eBay recently.
You have probably started a new thread and all sorts of replies will now appear with these buttons being worn in all sorts of funny places.

Best wishes

Gordon

Interesting to read this as I have a 46 pattern BD which has leather buttons on cuffs, sb's and pockets, it also has its original 7th armoured patches but has been stripped of its tankers badge, shoulder titles and collar badges.

[BCCU]

This type of button was worn by The Australians in WWI.
Something of a field dress button or an economy type button.
If you found them in an old camp - we're Australians encamped there during the early war years?
Cossum has some information on this type of button in his excellent book Buttons of the Defence Forces Australia.
"General Issue button for all ranks during WW1. leather. Sixe large and small"
Cheers
Campbell

[GTB]

Thanks for that, Campbell.
At the moment I can't recall where came from, but definitely not found in an encampment.
Would you know if this type was also worn in Gallipoli?
GTB

[BCCU]

Hello GTB,

I explored awm.gov.au, the Australian War Memorial site. I found several photos of soldiers who had served at Gallipoli with leather buttons on their studio photos. They also appeared to wear simple vegetable ivory buttons with 4 holes.

The Gallipoli photos of men in trenches etc - do not have the detail to confirm one way or the other.

I wonder if leather buttons had a practical use during periods of freezing weather - when fingers could freeze to metal buttons?

I also checked some of my notes and found a line that leather buttons were worn by the Australian Flying Corps.

As to your specific question, Were they worn at Gallipoli? - probably.

Sorry have not included pics as I had trouble downloading. However included something from a British Website.

[REMEVMBEA1]

It wasn't an uncommon button on civvy coats either as I remember having a "British Warm" style overcoat with that type.

[GTB]

Thanks, Campbell.

Reason for my query is due to the fact that many Anzacs were hospitalised in Malta, at the time referred to as 'The Nurse of the Mediterranean'. In fact the whole Island was turned into a vast conglomeration of hospitals and medical camps to tend to the wounded of Gallipoli, Anzacs and British. Evidently, a fair amount of memorabilia would be left on the Island, and eventually find its way into local collections. Old button tins are a goldmine!
GTB